I got involved in counterterrorism in the Carribean Basin ( and points south ) about 20 years ago, and while I went "inactive" in the late 1980's, following my remarriage, I have never lost interest in it.
About 60% of our oil imports flow thru the Gulf of Mexico; the economic effects alone of hostility or instability there ( Cuba, Mexico, Central America, the Carribean Isles ) should be apparent to anyone with a lick of sense.
Yet Latin America & the Carribean remain largely out of sight, out of mind, for most North Americans. During my travels down there I developed a great affection for most of the people, and a great dislike for most of their bloody governments. We really need to pay more attention to this area.
More people will begin to sit up and take notice of the situation, after it gets worse. It's bad now. Why is it people want to ignore what's next door? The same people and philosophies they detest are in this hemisphere and growing. I'm glad President Bush is trying to do something about it. Thank you for your personal insight.